Estrogen
General Information
As a part of feminizing hormone replacement therapy, many trans-feminine people will take estrogen (often as estradiol, also spelled oestradiol). This is primarily done to relieve gender dysphoria, and replace it with gender euphoria. When someone is meant to be feminine, but their appearance is not, E is here to help!
Effects of Estrogen
- breast development
- body fat redistribution
- decreased libido
- decreased random erections
- softer/less oily skin
- change in body odor
- "sexual dysfunction" and genital changes such as shrinkage of the penis and testicles
- decreased sperm production (do not rely on this solely as a form of birth control)
- thinning and slowed growth of body hair (note that many people will seek out other forms of hair removal)
- experience of period symptoms, such as cramps, bloating, and other PMS symptoms
- changes in sexual pleasure
Additional Hormonal Treatments
Estrogen is often taken alongside other hormones and blockers.
Progesterone
What is progesterone?
A hormone often taken alongside estrogen or after ending estrogen hormone therapy.
What does it do?
Taking progesterone can increase bone density, have a positive impact on sleep, decrease male pattern baldness, reduce oily skin, and increase breast growth.
Spironolactone
What is Spironolactone?
A hormone blocker (that blocks testosterone).
Resources About Estrogen Hormone Therapy
Gender Dysphoria FYI - Estrogenic Second Puberty 101
Gender GP - HRT Timeline and Effects: Hormone Replacement Therapy Info
Mayo Clinic - Feminizing Hormone Therapy
PubMed - Hormonal Treatment of Transgender Women with Oral Estradiol
transfemscience - An Introduction to Hormone Therapy for Transfeminine People
transfemscience - Genital Application of Estradiol as a Powerful Transdermal Route for Transfeminine People
TransHub - Hormones - Feminising
UCSF - Trans Care - Information on Estrogen Hormone Therapy
Resources About Progesterone
Gender GP - Progesterone Benefits for Trans Women in Feminisation
JCEM - Progesterone Is Important for Transgender Women’s Therapy—Applying Evidence for the Benefits of Progesterone in Ciswomen
PubMed - Progesterone in gender-affirming therapy of trans women
Injection Resources
East Coast Medical Supply
FenwayHealth - Trans Health Injection Guide
modern trans hormones - subcutaneous injection of hormones
Planned Parenthood - HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF A HORMONE INJECTION – INTRAMUSCULAR (IM) (English)
Planned Parenthood - HOW TO GIVE YOURSELF A HORMONE INJECTION – INTRAMUSCULAR (IM) (Spanish)
Planned Parenthood - SUBCUTANEOUS (SUBQ) SELF-INJECTION VIDEO TRANSCRIPT (English)
Planned Parenthood - SUBCUTANEOUS (SUBQ) SELF-INJECTION VIDEO TRANSCRIPT (Spanish)
slideshare - hormone self injection
tigermedical - Product - 1cc TuberculinSyringe
unionmedico - Self injector (for needles).
ShopMedVet
Vitality Medical
West End Medical Supplies
YouTube Resources
YouTube Playlist: I'm Transgender
YouTube Playlist: MTF transgender
YouTube Playlist: Transition Updates
YouTube Video: Feminizing Hormone Therapy at Seattle Children's
YouTube Video: Healthcare of the Transgender Patient (5/13/19)
YouTube Video: Intramuscular Self Injections (English)
YouTube Video: Intramuscular Self Injections (Spanish)
YouTube Video: Subcutaneous Self Injections (English)
YouTube Video: Subcutaneous Self Injections (Spanish)
Additional Resources
bumc - Practical Guidelines for Transgender Hormone Treatment
hemingways - info about HRT
MedicalNewsToday - Can trans women get periods?
My Healthy Hormones - Spironolactone in Gender-Affirming Care: An overview
PubMed - Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment Induces Facial Feminization in Transwomen and Masculinization in Transmen: Quantification by 3D Scanning and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures
privatemdlabs
Reddit - r/TransBreastTimeline
very well health - Testosterone Blocker Options for Transgender Women